Beach Style

I met artists and writers and all of the people I wanted to be during my time in South India and Sri Lanka.

I did not know what made us different as I sat across the dinner table from my new acquaintances but I knew there was something. At first, I thought it was their chic accents and effortless beach style. They dressed easily and I had to rummage through clothes I packed for a North Indian climate because I did not anticipate traveling south.

At dinner, they spoke of books and art. I pretended to understand the references, laughing when they did and nodding in approval but it was no secret that I was lost.

The space between us was obvious but every day I worked to close it.

They were ten years my superiors and I admired them like a kid sister. I said yes to every dinner and excursion invitation because I thought if I spent enough time in their presence I would be like them. I too could reference books and pieces of art no one had ever heard of.

I could even lounge daintily with my morning coffee steps away from my Italian partner.

Today I understand what the difference was between us. No, it wasn’t culture, or privilege, or Australian accents, it was work and a lot of it.

They talked about their craft because each day they were honing it. When we took a walk after having dinner in Fort Galle they stopped to photograph the sunset, not for Instagram but because they saw art.

Where I saw pretty colors, they saw long-term projects.

Today I want to be like them more them ever. I don’t want to dress like them or adopt a global accent, but when I look at the sunset, I want to see art. When people speak to me, I want to hear stories, not words.

I want to travel this world with confidence like they did because I know I belong.